Soccer

Lautaro Martinez ends goal drought as Inter keep pressure on Serie A leaders

Martinez had gone eight matches since last finding the back of the net against Venezia on November 3.

Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez (second left) scored his first goal in nine games on Saturday (Gianluca Zuddas/AP)
Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez (second left) scored his first goal in nine games on Saturday (Gianluca Zuddas/AP) (Gianluca Zuddas/AP)
By PA Sport Staff

Lautaro Martinez ended a near two-month goal drought as Inter Milan closed to within one point of Serie A leaders Atalanta by sweeping aside Cagliari 3-0.

Martinez had gone eight matches since last finding the back of the net against Venezia on November 3 but after Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring in the 54th minute, the Argentina international struck in Sardinia.

The Inter captain took his tally against Cagliari to 10 goals in as many games after 71 minutes before Hakan Calhanoglu capped an excellent night for the visitors from the penalty spot a few moments later.

Inter’s fifth-successive league victory led to them temporarily leapfrogging Atalanta, who reclaimed top spot but saw their lead cut to a single point following a 1-1 draw at Lazio.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side were grateful for a point in the end after falling behind to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s first-half strike, only drawing level with two minutes remaining thanks to Marco Brescianini.

Lautaro Valenti’s last-gasp strike condemned rock-bottom Monza to a 10th defeat in 18 matches as Parma edged a 2-1 victory, while Genoa defeated Empoli by the same scoreline.